Homeless protesters occupy People’s Park

Latest

James Cartmill, Michelle Lot and Tanis Higgs are three of the defenders of the historic People’s Park in Berkeley, CA, where trees are being felled so it can be built on. Before the protest was raided, Tanis tree-sat one of the trees slated to be destroyed.
PHOTO/SARAH MENEFEE

 
BERKELEY, CA — In defense of trees and people’s lives, a group of people from ‘First they came for the indigenous’ and ‘First they came for the homeless’ and other supporters, mostly homeless, set up a tent occupation at Berkeley CA’s People’s Park. The Park has been sheltering people for decades, since an historic battle 50 years ago to defend it from development by its owner, the University of California (UC), and keep the green space for people’s use. Dozens of people also call it home, a haven from the streets.
Recently, UC announced a plan to build student housing in the park, and began to cut down trees and harass people who lived there. Dozens of trees have been slaughtered so far. One of the protectors, Tanis Higgs, moved onto a platform in one of the trees to protect it from destruction. At 5 a.m. on January 15, 100 to 150 UC and other campus police brutally raided the occupation and arrested six protesters, taking all their survival gear. They were let out of jail at 1 a.m., with no transportation and all their possessions and gear—tents, packs, bedding and life-sustaining medicines—‘held for evidence’ and not returned to them. This is how homeless people are routinely treated when arrested, but with extra vengeance.
This was an interview I did with several residents of the protest camp a few days before the raid. A passerby had given the people yellow vests: they are truly part of an international resistance against a destructive system that needs to be resisted and overturned. The struggle continues!—Sarah Menefee
David Joshua Teague (Ninja Cat):
I left home because of abuse at home and at school, and ended up in People’s Park at the age of 14, and have lived here or in the area, on the streets, ever since. I was considered borderline autistic but I have a higher IQ than Tesla. What could I have become if I’d had the right care? When I got to the Park I met Hate Man, and he made me what I am today, able to talk and organize. We were active when they tried to pass Measure S here in Berkeley [a measure that criminalized homeless people for survival activities. David led a march to City Hall in protest]. UC has several other properties they could put the housing on but they want to attack and clear out the Park.
Michelle Lot:
I haven’t gotten any sleep because they are constantly waking us. They come at 10 at night to say the park is closed, then at midnight again just to harass us, then again in the morning, just for their own sport. We came here to defend the trees, stop the destruction of trees and protect this park that belongs to the people.
Christopher Kohler:
I helped build this park back in the day when I was a street kid. I’ve lived all around here, and now I’m back in the Park to help protect it for others.
‘Spange’:
What we’re being told is that there are several other properties they [UC] have they could build on. But they want to do this one to eliminate the place where we live. It looks like people are going to go to jail on this thing. They took our protest sign this morning. I’ve been coming here for years, when I’m not traveling with my jewelry business I hang out here. I would hate to see this park go, it is my safe place when I’m in the Bay Area. What’s going on is really bad, they are going to be ripping up people’s home. Tupac Shakur says ‘I’d rather die like a man than live like a coward.’ That’s how I feel about this.

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Winners and Losers in Trump’s ‘Ugly Bill’

Winners and losers: The greatest upward transfer of wealth in U.S. history cut Medicaid, SNAP, and other necessities to give massive tax breaks to billionaires.

Resistance Against Mass Deportations Webinar Scheduled July 17

The Zooming to the Resistance Against Mass Deportations Coalition is planning the second in a series of webinars exploring how people across the country are fighting mass deportations. During the webinar, scheduled July 17 at 4 p.m. Pacific, a panel of fighters from California cities and the East Coast will share their experience resisting the cruel ICE raids.

Mamdani’s NY Campaign Electrifies Those Seeking a Better Life

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has struck a nerve by voicing the demands of those who are struggling to survive as the cost of living continues to rise.

Another Big Beautiful Betrayal for Rural America

You slash Medicaid, you’re swinging an axe at the heart of our rural hospitals, community clinics, doctors and nurses — and every family that depends on a job for a living. It’s not too late to raise hell.

ICE Terror Campaign Threatens Us All

Several recent Facebook reels show how ICE is ramping up its campaign of terror against immigrants, citizens and protestors alike as the effort to create a police state continues and resistance grows. One creator speaks to the significance of Haitians now being targeted.

More from the People's Tribune